A new girl in a strange land...
As the title implies, I am a New Zealander now living in the USA, since December 2007. I met my fiance on a bus in Hastings, NZ, while he was on holiday down there. To cut a long story short, after 2 years long-distance, I now find myself living in a small mid-west town in Wisconsin, with a very different life ahead of me!
One thing I've learnt so far is to be confident in who I am when I am surrounded totally by people who are so different from me! We have an amazing country and culture, which I guess I took for granted until I left it behind. And I am learning about another amazing country that I never really took the time to notice before I found myself in the middle of it.
I would like to help others understand what it is like for people like me living overseas, and to open their eyes to new countries, cultures and experiences as I have been lucky enough to be part of. I hope you enjoy my lens!
** UPDATE **
Thanks to everyone who has visited my lens and left wonderful, inspiring comments! Reminds me i'm not alone in this adventure!
I've recently started some more lenses, all about New Zealand food and cooking.
Check out Fabulous Feijoas and Fab New Zealand Baking Recipes and let me know what you think!
**UPDATE October 2008***
Well, I'm working now - finally - after it took about 9 months for my Employment card to come in! I work at a great little coffee/chocolate shop in town called Legacy Chocolates. Is great to be out in the public again, meeting new people and keeping out of the house!
I'm also on my way to a Wisconsin Driver's Licence - scary I know! I passed my knowledge test, now just have to wait for my skills test - have to book 3 months in advance! Wish me luck!
The youngest country on earth
100% Pure New Zealand - TV Ad 1
Legend has it that New Zealand was fished from the sea. Fact has it that New Zealand was the last land mass on earth to be discovered, making New Zealand the youngest country on earth. http://www.newzealand.com/tvcscenes
Runtime: 2:22
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Goodbye New Zealand
Don't forget your tissues!
Leaving your family may be a nice thought to some, but it was this that scared me the most about moving overseas. How would I feel missing important days like Christmas, Easter, birthdays, Mother's and Father's day? Would I get homesick? What about when I got there? Would I like it? Would I find a job? Would I make friends? How would I keep in touch with friends and family back home?Months before my departure, the preperations began. Every night that I spent with my family felt fragile and time sped by so quick. I wanted them to know how much I loved them and how much I would miss them. I put together a photo frame for my parents, worried they would forget about me when I left. I painted my sisters paintings for Christmas, with familiar lyrics we shared at parties and gatherings. I etched words of family, love and togetherness into the canvas. They were no longer just gifts, but a way to ease my mind knowing when they looked at them they would be reminded of me,.. that was the idea anyway.
I think there is a certain feeling of closure which comes knowing you will not be around them for much longer. My sisters shyed away from me slowly, I guess their way of letting go of their little sister to ease the blow when I finally left.
Us New Zealanders are a pretty reserved bunch, so most of what they were thinking is just a guess on my part. But family dynamics definitely change when a family member breaks the mould by moving away. And I couldn't have got much further away than America!
So the day came to leave. We sat at the Napier Airport for a few precious minutes before the boarding call echoed through the airport for my flight to Auckland. I tried to make it quick, one hug and a quick goodbye for each family member. I finally stepped through the gate and that was it, my journey had begun. With a deep breath I turned and waved at everyone as I boarded the small airplane, tears streaming down my face. The air hostess greeting everyone at the entrance to the plane must've seen this a thousand times, but no one could help comfort me now. I was all alone, but with a strange new feeling of empowerment and control of my new future.
Hello America!
Would you like fries with that?
Once I boarded the plane for LAX, I began to feel slightly calmer, and of course so excited to see my fiance again (after a 5 month stint of being apart). I reflected on the past 2 months and the immense preperation that went on just to put my butt in this seat on flight Q25.- I had Renovated and rented out my house
- Said goodbye to my beloved Boxer, Bailey
- Sold all my houseold belongings in a garage sale
- Sold clothes and big house items on Trademe
- Sold my car
- Resigned from my job
- Sorted out bank accounts and insurance
- Copied important files onto CDS
- Captured video moments and put these on DVDS
- Compiled my favourite photos
- Started an address book to keep in touch with friends
- Bought New Zealand stuff to take
- Packed my life into 2 suitcases!
It felt like a new blooming of myself, a chance to throw out the old and start fresh! That's for sure. It was comforting to know that I had everything in my life completely organised for once.
The wait in LAX was insane. I felt like a child who had been fed too much caffeine and red lollies. I called my fiance from the airport, just to let him know I was in his country, and 5 hours away from seeing him finally.
Culture shocked me even before landing in Minneapolis. We had to fly around in the air for an extra 30 min because of a snow storm below! Never in New Zealand! OH was I excited to see the snow, too naive to realise that two weeks into it I would loathe the sight of it and long for summer again. But hey, this was just the beginning of the many cultural challenges I would face living here.
All the organising, garage sales, goodbyes, flights, and fries at cramped airport terminals were worth it when I stepped onto the esculator at Minneapolis Airport, only too aware that my future husband would be standing there nervously to greet me. This time was different though, it wasn't a 'welcome to your holiday for the next two weeks', as our time together always had been. This time it was 'Welcome to America. Join in or get left out!'...
***Tune in soon for more from NZ Guru Girl's adventures and infinite wisdoms!***
Check out where I live now!
- Things to do in Menomonie, Wisconsin
- My second lens, all about the great little town that I now live in, Menomonie, Wisconsin. Come check it out!
Looking for something from New Zealand?
I've done all the hard work for you!
I've included my favourite New Zealand products website, so that you can search for whatever your little heart desires! They have everything from NZ foods, to beautiful jewelry, health products, natural clothing, homewares... everything really, from New Zealand!Rather than me listing everything else this wonderful website has to offer, why don't you go search for yourself!
Looking for unique &interesting gifts? Search for them here.
For even more info on this great little website,
check out my lens Products From New Zealand!
Learn to Speak New Zild
Until now, I was oblivious of the way different countries use certain words for meaning. I've certainly got some funny looks when yanks don't understand what the heck is coming outta my mouth!!Lollies - Candy
Holiday - Vacation
Trim milk - Skim milk
Presents - Gifts
BBQ - Grill out
Tea - evening meal
Fizzy drink - Soda
Sweet - cool or awesome
Sweet as - same as sweet
Ta - thanks
Mate - A Friend
Bro - also a friend
Togs - swimwear
And that's just for starters!
The Kiwi Accent explained
New Zealand accent explained
Miss V explains once and for all the mysteries of that odd sound coming from the mouths of Kiwis. **due to technical difficulties, this video from last week could only just be posted now. Enjoy the belated goodness!**
Runtime: 3:40
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Stuff for Homesick Kiwis!
New Zealand Flag 12 x 18 inch
Amazon Price: $2.20 (as of 11/21/2008) 
The Ultimate DVD of New Zealand 2009 Edition
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 11/21/2008)
New Zealand Rugby T-Shirt
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2008)
Adidas New Zealand All Blacks Rugby Ball
Amazon Price: $34.99 (as of 11/21/2008)
New Zealand "Silver Fern" Flag - 3 foot by 5 foot Polyester (NEW)
Amazon Price: $1.99 (as of 11/21/2008)
Stuff for other Expats off on a great adventure!
The Expert Expat, Revised Edition: Your Guide to Successful Relocation Abroad
Amazon Price: $15.61 (as of 11/21/2008)
Survival Kit for Overseas Living, Fourth Edition: For Americans Planning to Live and Work Abroad
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 11/21/2008)
The Ultimate DVD of New Zealand 2009 Edition
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 11/21/2008)
New American Expat: Thriving and Surviving Overseas in the Post-9/11 World
Amazon Price: $22.45 (as of 11/21/2008)
A Portable Identity: A Woman's Guide to Maintaining a Sense of Self While Moving Overseas, Revised Edition
Amazon Price: $22.45 (as of 11/21/2008)
Links for other lone Kiwis - or people who love Kiwis!
- Pure NZ
- The official website for information about travel to New Zealand, places to stay, sights to see and things to do. Has great pics of home if you're homesick!
- Air New Zealand
- New Zealand's own airline. Cheap direct non-stop flights to and from LAX and SFO.
- Trademe
- Buy and Sell stuff in New Zealand with on-line auctions.
- NZ Music Downloads and CD's
- Amplifier is New Zealand's premier site for listening to, downloading and purchasing NZ music.
- Products from New Zealand
- New Zealand made gifts at superb prices, beautifully presented, & delivered world-wide!
This site is perfect for the frustrated Internet shopper who is sick of mass produced goods so common in stores today... - Food in a Minute
- Looking for New Zealand recipes? You'll find some great new ideas for traditional New Zealand recipes here. Most can be adapted to use USA made ingredients.
- Speak New Zild
- A list of New Zealand Slang Words and Phrases, for those that want to learn to use some NZ slang - or to figure out what we are saying!
- Bebo
- Social network for people who want to stay in touch with their old friends and college pals. Used lots by New Zealanders, Australians and British folk!
Who's living in the USA?
I wanted to see that i'm not alone here in the world of 'aliens' living in America. Join us!
Got somethin' to say?
Wisconsinkiwi wrote
Gidday
My name is Michael. I have lived in Racine for 6 years(South Eastern Wisconsin). Awesome part of the USA to be, inbetween Milwaukee and Chicago on lake Michigan. Only ever met one Kiwi here. Miss the upfront and personal listening to a Kiwi Accent.Came accross this site by chance. If there are any Kiwis in this area and want to meet up then contact me at email wisconsinkiwi@hotmail.com
Bye the way....it was a journey to get here...the ins and outs of the I.N.S......maybe I can help. Let me know.
Posted October 23, 2008
Wisconsinkiwi wrote
Gidday
My name is Michael. I have lived in Racine for 6 years(South Eastern Wisconsin). Awesome part of the USA to be, inbetween Milwaukee and Chicago on lake Michigan. Only ever met one Kiwi here. Miss the upfront and personal listening to a Kiwi Accent.Came accross this site by chance. If there are any Kiwis in this area and want to meet up then contact me at email wisconsinkiwi@hotmail.com
Bye the way....it was a journey to get here...the ins and outs of the I.N.S......maybe I can help. Let me know.
Posted October 23, 2008
Wisconsinkiwi wrote
Gidday
My name is Michael. I have lived in Racine for 6 years(South Eastern Wisconsin). Awesome part of the USA to be, inbetween Milwaukee and Chicago on lake Michigan. Only ever met one Kiwi here. Miss the upfront and personal listening to a Kiwi Accent.Came accross this site by chance. If there are any Kiwis in this area and want to meet up then contact me at email wisconsinkiwi@hotmail.com
Bye the way....it was a journey to get here...the ins and outs of the I.N.S......maybe I can help. Let me know.
Posted October 23, 2008
Wisconsinkiwi wrote
Gidday
My name is Michael. I have lived in Racine for 6 years(South Eastern Wisconsin). Awesome part of the USA to be, inbetween Milwaukee and Chicago on lake Michigan. Only ever met one Kiwi here. Miss the upfront and personal listening to a Kiwi Accent.Came accross this site by chance. If there are any Kiwis in this area and want to meet up then contact me at email wisconsinkiwi@hotmail.com
Bye the way....it was a journey to get here...the ins and outs of the I.N.S......maybe I can help. Let me know.
Posted October 23, 2008
Rob3 wrote...
Hi lone Kiwi girl, what a fabulous lens! Good luck in Wisconsin, and thanks for visiting my Beginners Wine Guide. 5 stars and fav!
Posted August 31, 2008
Blind Poet wrote
Hi Mate!
I am so pleased to find this blog.
I am a kiwi in Denver and hanging out to talk to and network with other kiwis where ever they are.
I came here for similar reasons as you, dismantled my life, left my older kids behind..and all that BUT America is like a wall. You get the feeling it kind of wants to spit you out. If it wasnt for love I wouldn't be here thats for sure.
Can we make contact. PLEASE. I have realised that culture shock just don't happen when you enter a culture, it just goes on and on as you peel back the layers of that culture. Its like I have no foundation here........other than love.
I too have a some blogs, get me @ http://theblindpoet.com
hope to hear a kiwi voice. I was from whangarei.
e noho ra
Posted August 22, 2008
I enjoyed reading your lens...sounds like you have found a way to make the transition easier.
I wish you luck. Hope your relationship is going well!
Posted August 14, 2008
mulberry wrote...
Good luck in Wisconsin. I can't imagine leaving my own country and living elsewhere for more than a several months. New Zealand looks wonderful but I haven't had a chance to visit; hope to one day.
Posted August 11, 2008
Letitia wrote
I love you, lone kiwi girl. Your story is so moving and it has halped me understand the culture shock you must have felt. Is it 'all better' now? We are so proud of you!
Posted August 02, 2008
